The UAE Today | The National

Good morning from The National on March 26, 2026.

Here are the latest developments in the Emirates on day 27 of the Iran war:

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said Iran is holding the Strait of Hormuz hostage and every nation will 'pay the ransom', during a visit to Washington in which he held talks with US Vice President JD Vance
UAE rejects Iran's 'justifications' for attacks, describing the strikes as reckless conduct
UAE air defences intercept nine drones from Iran.
Adnoc chief executive discusses Strait of Hormuz with US Vice President.
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, deputy chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, has paid his respects to Mohammed Aznibla, a civilian contractor with the UAE Armed Forces who was killed in an Iranian attack on Bahrain
Missile alert issued in Dubai on Wednesday.
Authorities issue 216 fines on traders and retail outlets for raising prices after a surge in demand for staple goods fuelled by Iranian attacks.

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Heavy rain in central Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Victor Besa / The National

A powerful storm approaching the UAE is poised to hit on Thursday afternoon, followed by a second deluge of heavy rain, thunder and lightning on Friday morning.

Latest forecasts show the path of the 'final wave' of the severe weather front shifting, with the worst of the deluge now expected between 6 and 10am on Friday morning.

The storm is expected to affect Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah from about 4pm on Thursday, according to a live chart from weather app, Windy.

The weather system will expand across the country, affecting Abu Dhabi, from about 1am on Friday, hitting a peak on Friday morning.

Read the latest here

Supermarkets are considering overland routes from Europe. Antonie Robertson / The National

UAE supermarkets are turning to alternative import routes by land, air and sea to keep food prices under control and shelves fully stocked as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz causes supply challenges.

Spinneys, which operates more than 75 stores in the Emirates and Oman, said it had been able to “keep a lid on inflation” due to its focus on locally produced goods.

The retailer is exploring a number of supply routes – including bringing goods by road from London to Dubai. The government, meanwhile, says it has a reserve of four-to-six months' worth of essential goods that can be used.

Read more from Nick Webster here

Oil prices fell sharply in early Asian trading on Wednesday, with both major benchmarks down nearly 6 per cent amid growing hopes of a ceasefire that could ease supply disruptions from the Middle East. Read more here